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Researchers to help develop next-generation hybrid and electric vehicles

The project aims to reduce cost, weight, and volume of systems powering hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles while improving performance, efficiency, and reliability. Researchers will design silicon-carbide integrated circuits for power modules and develop methods for packaging and integrating these circuits with other components.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·DateApr 29, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Waterproof graphene electronic circuits

Researchers have discovered that integrating graphene with metal in circuits reduces contact resistance impact from humidity, enabling more efficient sensors. This breakthrough could lead to significant cost reduction and better environmental monitoring.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 30, 2019

Use a microscope as a shovel? UConn researchers dig it

Researchers have discovered that atomic force microscopes can be used to map the interior of materials, revealing patterns and properties previously unknown at the surface. This new technique has the potential to improve the design of computer chips and reduce energy consumption.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 25, 2019
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Programming light on a chip

A new integrated photonics platform enables precise control of light frequency and storage, opening doors for photonic quantum information processing, optical signal processing, and microwave photonics. The technology uses lithium niobate and has potential applications in radio astronomy, radar technology, and more.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateJan 8, 2019

Twisting light to enable high-capacity data transmission

Researchers have developed tiny gears made of germanium that can generate a vortex of twisted light, enabling high-capacity data transmission with chip-based optical computing and communication. The new technology has the potential to boost the amount of data that can be transmitted using less light.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateDec 21, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Computer chip vulnerabilities discovered by WSU researchers

A WSU research team has uncovered previously unknown vulnerabilities in high-performance computer chips, which could be exploited by malicious attacks. The communications system is a critical component of the chip, and its malfunction can have severe consequences.

SourceWashington State University·DateDec 13, 2018

Flexible electronic skin aids human-machine interactions (video)

Researchers have developed an ultrathin, stretchable electronic skin that can be used for various human-machine interactions. The new method creates a fast, simple, and inexpensive way to produce thin-film circuits with integrated microelectronics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 28, 2018

Lobachevsky University scientists obtain a hexagonal modification of silicon

Researchers at Lobachevsky University have synthesized a hexagonal modification of silicon with enhanced optical properties, which can be used in optoelectronic integrated circuits. The material was created using ion implantation and exhibits an associated emission band in the infrared region.

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateNov 27, 2018
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Precision neuroengineering enables reproduction of complex brain-like functions in vitro

Researchers from Tohoku University and the University of Barcelona have developed an in vitro neural circuit model that reproduces complex brain-like functions. The study reveals the importance of modular organization for maximizing flexibility in neural circuits, as well as the potential of biophysical models to understand collective ...

SourceUniversity of Barcelona·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 14, 2018

Increasing CD and microchip capacity 100-fold

The new material allows for more data to be stored on CDs and microchips, with potential applications in high-density memories and devices that mimic human brains. It also addresses a problem called drift, which affects current materials' stability.

SourceUniversity of Arizona College of Engineering·DateNov 13, 2018

RNA microchips

Researchers at the University of Vienna and McGill University have created a new approach to synthesizing RNA, making it up to a million times more efficient than previous methods. The breakthrough uses photolithographic fabrication technology and a new protecting group to produce RNA chips with high yields.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 6, 2018
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

RIT awarded NSF grant to advance high-tech computer architectures

Researchers at RIT will use photonic integrated circuit technology to improve processing speed and energy consumption of brain-inspired computing techniques. The project aims to realize high performance neural networks using light, enabling applications in autonomous systems, imaging, and cybersecurity.

SourceRochester Institute of Technology·DateAug 16, 2018

Trapping light that doesn't bounce off track for faster electronics

A new protective metamaterial 'cladding' prevents light from leaking out of curvy pathways in computer chips, allowing for more efficient processing. This breakthrough enables the integration of photonic with electric circuitry, increasing communication speed and reducing power consumption.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 30, 2018
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New 28-GHz transceiver paves the way for future 5G devices

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology designed a tiny, fast, reliable, and accurate 28-GHz transceiver for stable high-speed 5G communications. The new transceiver employs a local oscillator (LO) phase shifting approach, achieving an improvement in beam steering resolution of an order of magnitude compared to previous designs.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·DateJun 11, 2018

Strain directs spin waves

Spin waves transmitted through a magnetic insulator film have the advantage that energy loss is small and long-distance transmission is possible. By studying the influence of stress magnitude on spin waves, researchers found that large stress can transmit spin waves even with weak permanent magnets attached.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateMay 23, 2018
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Shrinking the synthesizer

A team of UC Santa Barbara scientists has developed a miniature, energy-efficient optical frequency synthesizer that can be integrated onto silicon photonic integrated circuits. The device can tune over 50 nanometers and deliver a frequency stability of 7 x 10-13 after one second of averaging, matching that of the input reference clock.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature·DateMay 3, 2018
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Switch controls light on a nanoscale for faster information processing

Purdue researchers design a compact switch that enables reliable confinement of light to small computer chip components, bypassing unwanted absorption of photons using surface plasmons. The development paves the way for hybrid photonic and electronic nanocircuitry, potentially leading to faster information processing in supercomputers.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNature·DateApr 25, 2018

Smaller and faster: The terahertz computer chip is now within reach

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created a terahertz microchip that enables computers to run 100 times faster through optic communications. The new integrated circuit uses flash memory technology and has overcome major challenges of overheating and scalability.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·DateMar 25, 2018
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

MEMS chips get metalenses

Researchers developed a device that combines metasurface lenses with MEMS technology, enabling fast scanning and beam steering. The integrated device can control the angular rotation of a flat lens and scan the focal spot by several degrees.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 20, 2018

Energy-efficient encryption for the internet of things

MIT researchers have developed a new chip that consumes only 1/400 as much power as software execution of public-key encryption protocols, executing 500 times faster. The chip uses a general-purpose elliptic-curve design and features a dedicated inverter circuit to increase energy efficiency and reduce surface area.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 13, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Now entering, lithium niobate valley

Harvard researchers have developed a technique to fabricate high-quality lithium niobate devices with ultralow loss and high optical confinement. This breakthrough opens the door to practical integrated photonic circuits for applications in quantum photonics, microwave-to-optical conversion, and more.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalOptica·DateDec 21, 2017

Engineers program tiny robots to move, think like insects

Cornell University engineers have developed event-based algorithms mimicking neural activity for tiny robots, enabling greater autonomy and adaptability. The technology aims to improve micro-robots' ability to navigate complex environments without increasing their weight or power consumption.

SourceCornell University·DateDec 14, 2017

ERC grant: €2 million for synthetic biology at TU Darmstadt

The European Research Council has awarded a €2 million ERC Consolidator Grant to TU Darmstadt's Heinz Koeppl for his project 'CONSYN', which aims to improve the design of synthetic genetic circuits. The grant will support computational modelling and computer-aided circuit synthesis to overcome experimental challenges in synthetic biology.

SourceTechnische Universitat Darmstadt·DateDec 8, 2017
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Life under the surface in live broadcast

Scientists at Lund University have developed new systems to study microorganisms in the ground using microchips, revealing complex ecosystems and interactions between microbes and their environment. The technology allows for real-time analysis of microbial processes, enabling researchers to better understand soil structures and functions.

SourceLund University·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateDec 7, 2017

Researchers develop flexible, stretchable photonic devices

Researchers have created a method to make photonic devices that can bend and stretch without damage, using a specialized glass called chalcogenide. These flexible devices could be used in various applications such as skin-mounted monitoring devices, diagnostic systems, or as connectors for electronics.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 8, 2017
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Using optical chaos to control the momentum of light

A new method to control the momentum of broadband light has been demonstrated in a widely-used optical component known as a whispering gallery microcavity. This breakthrough enables coupling of all color lights with a single optical coupler, paving the way for applications in optical quantum processing and photonics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateOct 19, 2017

Illinois researchers develop gene circuit design strategy to advance synthetic biology

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new gene circuit design strategy that can predict gene circuit behaviors using an integrated modeling framework. The framework, developed by Associate Professor Ting Lu and his graduate students, has successfully predicted key host metrics for multiple bacteria, including Esche...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Microbiology·DateSep 26, 2017
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

World first: 'Storing lightning inside thunder'

University of Sydney researchers have achieved a groundbreaking breakthrough in transferring digital information between light waves and sound waves on a microchip. The innovation enables faster processing and reduces energy consumption by slowing down data transfer velocity to five orders of magnitude, making it suitable for use in te...

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 18, 2017

Taking technology to the next level

The CUDOS research group has created compact, mass manufacturable optical circuits by integrating nonlinear glasses with silicon-based material. This breakthrough enables faster data processing and opens up opportunities for miniaturizing photonics devices, from laptops to smartphones.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for Ultrahigh bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS)·JournalOptica·DateJul 25, 2017
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Hamburg researchers develop new transistor concept

Researchers at the University of Hamburg have developed a new transistor concept based on metal nanoparticles, which exhibit energy gap properties due to Coulomb repulsion. This approach enables scalable synthesis, high-quality thin films and flexible devices with adjustable electrical characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 14, 2017

Vortex-antivortex pairs found in magnetic trilayers

A team of researchers has discovered magnetic vortex-antivortex pairs arising from correlated electron spins in a newly engineered trilayer material. The finding could advance memory cells and points to the potential development of 3-D magnetic logic circuits.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 28, 2017

Researchers demonstrate spin effects in solution-based nanocrystals

Scientists have successfully demonstrated electronic spin effects in wet-chemically produced nanocrystals, opening doors to more efficient and powerful electronics. The Rashba effect, a phenomenon normally not observed due to high crystal symmetry, was controlled by varying layer thickness, light used, and electric fields.

SourceUniversity of Hamburg·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2017

Seeing the invisible with a graphene-CMOS integrated device

Researchers from Graphene Flagship have successfully integrated graphene into a CMOS circuit, enabling the creation of high-resolution image sensors that can detect UV, visible, and infrared light. This technology has vast applications in fields such as safety, security, and medical imaging.

SourceGraphene Flagship·JournalNature Photonics·DateJun 5, 2017
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Texas team debuts battery-less pacemaker

Researchers from Rice University and the Texas Heart Institute have developed a battery-less pacemaker that can be implanted directly into a patient's heart. The device harnesses energy wirelessly from radio frequency radiation transmitted by an external battery pack, reducing complications related to traditional lead-based pacemakers.

SourceRice University·DateJun 5, 2017

Graphene and quantum dots put in motion a CMOS-integrated camera that can see the invisible

Researchers at ICFO have developed a graphene-QD CMOS image sensor that can capture visible and infrared light simultaneously. This breakthrough technology enables applications such as night vision, food inspection, fire control, and environmental monitoring, while also reducing production costs and enabling mass-market production.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 29, 2017

Hybrid circuits can increase computational power of chaos-based systems

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed hybrid circuits that leverage both digital and analog components to improve the computational power of chaos-based systems. By distributing computation between digital and analog circuits, they achieve exponential reductions in computational time and enhance noise tolerance.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateApr 28, 2017

Photonic crystal and nanowire combo advances 'photonic integration'

Researchers at NTT Corporation have combined a sub-wavelength nanowire with a photonic crystal platform to demonstrate two key firsts: Continuous-wave lasing oscillation by sub-wavelength nanowire, as well as high-speed signal modulation by a nanowire laser. This breakthrough overcomes material incompatibility issues and enables the de...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateApr 3, 2017
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

A big leap toward tinier lines

A team of researchers at MIT and University of Chicago has developed a self-assembly technique to produce narrow wires on microchips, breaking through fundamental limits in manufacturing processes. The new method uses block copolymers and could be scaled up for mass manufacturing with standard equipment.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 27, 2017